Unclaimed Estates

In the case of an unnamed heir, unclaimed estates in California are held in custodianship for 10 years (five years if an heir is named and the estate remains unclaimed). After that, though, the funds become state monies and are transferred directly into Sacramento's coffers. Orange County has a total of 302 unclaimed estates with a total value of $1,725,374. Below is a list of the top 10 by dollar value.

If you would like more information on unclaimed estates, you can call the State Controller's Office, Division of Unclaimed Property Division, toll-free at 1 (800) 992-4647.

CLAIM WHAT'S YOURS California's unclaimed property law requires financial institutions and other businesses to turn over money and other assets to the state after the accounts or property have been inactive, abandoned or lost for five years. The property includes bank accounts; uncashed payroll, refund and dividend checks, and misplaced securities. In many cases, owners simply moved from an area without leaving a forwarding address.

Because the funds are held by the state in perpetuity, legal owners or rightful heirs may claim the money at any time by contacting the State Controller's Office, Division of Unclaimed Property, toll-free, at 1 (800) 992-4647.

Orange County has $9.5 million in 38,500 such accounts. Here is a list of the top 10 in dollar value: